Drug Offences Melbourne
There is a large number of criminal offences that involve drugs. The most common drug offences with which an accused person is charged are:
- Possession of a drug of dependence;
- Trafficking of a drug of dependence; and
- Cultivation of a drug of dependence.
The seriousness of the charge laid by police will depend on the quantity of the drug of dependence alleged in the offending. For example, there is a significant difference between trafficking a small quantity of drugs and trafficking a commercial quantity, or large commercial quantity of drugs.
There is also a significant difference in the penalty open to the Court to impose for the offending, and the ultimate sentence imposed by the Court.
Drug offences are a very complicated area of law. The schedule of different drugs that are illegal also complicates the law further.
The alleged role of the accused, and the frequency and period for which the drug offending allegedly occurred is also a factor considered by Victoria Police when it charges an accused.
This area of law is governed by the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic).